Devon News

More than 100 arrests in county lines operation across South West

More than 100 arrests in county lines operation across South West

Anna VarleSouth West home and social affairs correspondentBBCMore than 100 arrests were made across the South West in a week of police action against drugs and child exploitationPolice have seized guns and arrested more than 100 people across the south west of England in a week of police action against drugs and child exploitation.Operation Scorpion targets gangs who use young people to traffic drugs into the region from major cities. Police said 122 people were arrested across the…

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Exe estuary takeover plan sparks fears of new charges

Exe estuary takeover plan sparks fears of new charges

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCIan Garcia, commodore of Topsham Sailing Club, says there is not enough information available on Exeter City Council's plans for a harbour revision orderPlans for a council to take over the running of a major estuary in Devon are facing opposition from water users concerned at the possibility of new charges being imposed.Exeter City Council wants to use a harbour revision order (HRO) to take charge of the Exe estuary, which runs from Exeter Quay…

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EFL Trophy round-up: Holders Peterborough out; Harrogate win among shocks

EFL Trophy round-up: Holders Peterborough out; Harrogate win among shocks

Holders Peterborough United went out and Harrogate Town belied their status as the lowest-placed team still in this season's Vertu Trophy among 14 ties in the last 32 on Tuesday.After an uneventful first half away to League Two promotion contenders Swindon Town, League One strugglers Peterborough dominated the second period but conceded the only goal of the game when Robins captain Ollie Clarke slotted in the 88th-minute winner.Harrogate are a point from safety after taking two points from…

Continue ReadingEFL Trophy round-up: Holders Peterborough out; Harrogate win among shocks

Alleged Plymouth sex abuse victims accused of ‘full blown lies’

Alleged Plymouth sex abuse victims accused of ‘full blown lies’

BBCAlan Harris has denied 12 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault and two charges of rapePeople claiming a former defence solicitor sexually assaulted them have spread "falsehoods" about him including throughout his ongoing trial, a court has been told.Alan Harris, 72, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of 12 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault and two charges of rape, dating from 1989 to 2015.Defence barrister…

Continue ReadingAlleged Plymouth sex abuse victims accused of ‘full blown lies’

Beatles’ autographs and Four Wedding hat up for auction

Beatles’ autographs and Four Wedding hat up for auction

Autographs of members of The Beatles and a hat from the 1994 film Four Weddings and A Funeral are among the music and film memorabilia due to go under the hammer in Exeter next week.The hat worn by American actress Andie MacDowell in the box office hit was given to a local resident who had worked on the set, said Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood auction house.The Beatles' autographs - signatures of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison…

Continue ReadingBeatles’ autographs and Four Wedding hat up for auction

Beatles’ autographs and Four Weddings hat up for auction

Autographs of members of The Beatles and a hat from the 1994 film Four Weddings and A Funeral are among the music and film memorabilia due to go under the hammer in Exeter next week.The hat worn by American actress Andie MacDowell in the box office hit was given to a local resident who had worked on the set, said Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood auction house.The Beatles' autographs - signatures of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison,…

Continue ReadingBeatles’ autographs and Four Weddings hat up for auction

Novice rower from Devon prepares for Atlantic Ocean challenge

Novice rower from Devon prepares for Atlantic Ocean challenge

Clare O'ReilleyClare O'Reilley is taking part in The World's Toughest Row alongside two other womenA woman with a fear of deep water is preparing to row across the Atlantic Ocean after being encouraged by someone she knows who has completed the challenge twice.Clare O'Reilly, 46, from Devon had never rowed before starting to train for The World's Toughest Row, which she will do alongside Rosie Tong, 26, and Mel Jarman, 33.The Row with the Flow crew will be…

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Devon theatre school seeks new home to store historic costumes

Devon theatre school seeks new home to store historic costumes

A theatre school in Devon is looking for a new space to store several decades' worth of costumes after a leak in its roof. Willow Tree Dance and Theatre Arts School, based in Tiverton, said the building it currently stored the items in including handmade clothing, wigs and accessories had a leak. The school hosts about 274 pupils aged 18 months and upwards and said it hosts at least three shows a year. It added thanks to its…

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Devon charity Headway uses cooking to aid brain injury recovery

Devon charity Headway uses cooking to aid brain injury recovery

Claire Manningin PlymouthBBCHeadway Plymouth has teamed up with not-for-profit community interest company Food is FunA Devon charity that supports people with acquired brain injuries is using cooking as a way to help clients with their recovery.Headway Plymouth has teamed up with not-for-profit community interest company Food is Fun to teach cooking skills.The charity said there were about 80,000 brain injury survivors living in Devon.Headway Plymouth's chief executive Craig Butler said food was important for brain growth and development.'We're…

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Litter pickers find needles and knives while collecting rubbish

Litter pickers find needles and knives while collecting rubbish

Clean Our Patch CICSome of the needles a litter picking group found in Victoria Park in PlymouthLitter picking volunteers said this year they have found items such as hunting knives and more than 5,000 used needles and syringes from different areas of Plymouth.Clean Our Patch CIC runs 43 litter picking groups in the city and has two trained volunteers who have specialist equipment to remove needles.Teams recently cleared 56 needles and a hunting knife from the edge of…

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Former Plymouth solicitor had ‘no respect’ for alleged victims

Former Plymouth solicitor had ‘no respect’ for alleged victims

BBCAlan Harris has denied 12 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault and two charges of rapeA former criminal defence solicitor hoped clients he allegedly sexually abused would be seen as "second-class citizens" due to their past offending, a court has heard.Alan Harris, 72, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of 12 charges of indecent assault, eight charges of sexual assault and two charges of rape, dating from 1989 to…

Continue ReadingFormer Plymouth solicitor had ‘no respect’ for alleged victims